Basis of assurance

The assurance of believers is based upon the certain knowledge of God revealed in creation and his mighty acts in history, upon the certainty of his promises, the vindication and resurrection of Christ and the inward testimony and outward demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit.

Notes & Transcripts

Assurance is based upon the certain knowledge of God

Assurance comes from knowing God through creation

Romans 1:19–20 ESV

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

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Assurance comes from knowing God through his mighty acts

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Assurance is based upon the certainty of God’s word

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Assurance because of God’s oath

Hebrews 6:17 ESV

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,

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Assurance because of God’s promise

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Assurance is based upon God’s vindication of his Son

Assurance because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ

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Assurance because of the miracles of Jesus Christ

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Assurance comes through the work of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit assures believers by enabling outward demonstrations of God’s power

Hebrews 2:4 ESV

while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

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The Holy Spirit assures believers by giving inward conviction

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The Holy Spirit assures believers by sealing God’s promise

Ephesians 1:13–14 ESV

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

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Assurance based upon the testimony of God’s people

Assurance because of the testimony of eye-witnesses

2 Peter 1:16–19 ESV

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

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Assurance because of the testimony of the apostles

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Assurance is based upon godly living

1 John 2:3–5 ESV

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: